Posts published in “Day: October 28, 2014”

The Governor’s Small Business Forum, an all-day event hosted by the Houston Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce, was astounded to hear not only the usual government and business speakers, but a success story from an 8-year old entrepreneur that made all his money with a lemonade stand and some smart marketing.

The event was held last Friday, October 17 at the J. W. Marriott hotel near the Galleria in Houston.

It included workshops or breakout sessions on various aspects of conducting a successful business, and interacting with agencies and government bodies.

A luncheon followed the breakout sessions, with greetings from Larry Ruggiano for Governor Perry, a keynote presentation by Andres Alcantar, chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, and a overview talk about business corruption and security from FBI agent John Blake. After the talks, Sonia Gaillard of the Governor’s office presented a series of awards to outstaning business entrepreneurs.

But the most outstanding talk was given by a young 8-year old boy who had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, and then delivered a ten minute talk about how he had made money, a lot of money, by running his own business, which was a lemonade stand.

Yash’s advice to the assembled businessmen many times his age: give your customers a good experience, and you will have repeat business. In addition, promote your business and have fun.

Yash has had a lemonade stand for two years, with his younger brother, and had sales of about $5000 per year, and profit of about $4500, he said.

Yash donated his profits, almost $6000 with a matching donor, to Texas Children’s Hospital, and helped raise an additional $59,000 by launching the hospital’s fundraising campaign.

Yash is working with the National Lemonade Day group, which has headquarters in Houston, but works with tens of thousands of kids nationwide, teaching them business principles and responsibility. Many of his principles and techniques were learned from the Lemonade Day group.

Companies that received achievement awards from the Governor included:

Leader Newspapers

Tishmore Productions

NeuTex Lighting

Lambert Broader Custom Homes

Latin Specialties

QuanFoster Attorneys

All-Ameriken Landscaping

New Treck Exporting

Wise Farms

The Governor’s message was delivered by a video recording, and he emphasized that Texas was the best place to do business, having the best small business climate, with low taxes and an a trained available workforce.

In his remarks, Texas Workforce Commissioner Andres Alcantar noted that Texas is adding over 400,000 new jobs every year, a quarter of those in the Houston region. Expanding business is occuring in petrochemicals, manufacturing, and healthcare, he said.

Share this:

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department will cut the ribbon on the Phase III Park Improvements Project to Keith-Wiess Park (12300 Aldine-Westfield Road) at the Fun Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18, 2014. The East Aldine District Fall Festival runs from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with the ribbon cutting taking place at 12:00 noon.ÿ

“In 1979, James and Margaret Elkins donated almost 500 acres of land to create Keith-Wiess Park as aÿpark space for the public to enjoy and recreate in,” said Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “The new amenities that have been added will allow more people to appreciate the natural beauty of Keith-Wiess Park while enjoying its many recreational amenities.”

Since its donation in 1979, Keith-Wiess Park developments in partnership with theÿHarris County Flood Control Districtÿhave included the creation of 122-acres of detention basin lakes with a fishing pier and boardwalk, and a new playground and soccer fields, trails and bridges that have provided access to the large park.

The current Phase III Park Improvements were completed in late September of 2014. The Project Scope of Work includes: a new parking lot with 135 additional parking spaces (175 total), sidewalks, picnic tables, barbecue grills, soccer goals, bleachers on concrete pads, site and field lighting, lighting for the large pavilion, new electrical services, repainting the three pavilions, underground irrigation storage tank with booster pump and lines, detention basin, site grading and associated landscaping and irrigation for three soccer fields. Design Cost for Park Improvements was $227,000. The Landscape Architect was White Oak Studio. The Project Construction Cost is $1,773,264.00, which includes the Musco Sports Field Lighting.